Blog

WHAT: On Friday, July 3, the Cherry Creek Arts Festival held its annual Artist Awards Dinner, where exhibiting artists came together to celebrate the 25th Anniversary Arts Festival and honor 2015 Artist Award Winners. The following 11 artists are the only exhibiting artists who are automatically invited to return for the 2016 Arts Festival.

WHO: A group of independent jurors determined the following artists to be the 2015 award winners.

Best of Show: Chia Haruta, graphics & printmaking
(Chia at Ann Arbor a few years ago)

2nd Place: Kaiser Suidan, ceramics

3rd Place: Richard Hall, painting

Merit Awards:
Shadow May, sculpture

Dolan Geiman, mixed media

John Mascoll, wood

Paveen Chunhaswasd, ceramics

Jennifer McCurdy, ceramics

Juror’s Awards:

Pamela Balies, painting

Patty Roberts, glass,

Jerry Brem, painting

It's been a while since I've done a show, been busy with the gallery route and kids. I would like to hear your opinion on my new booth shot. Is the angle ok, or do they prefer the typical straight on shot?

Thanks in advance!

Last April, 2015 when I was accepted for the July Jackson, WY show, I started looking for lodging for July 8-13.  In passing, I mentioned to Jean that there was an Airstream available through Airbnb.  She thought it would be fun and a diversion from the usual condo routine.  There was a favorable review and pictures, so I got it for $672.  The Host moved the Airstream from Wilson, WY into Jackson which was even better.

Friday July 3, I get an email from Airbnb that my reservation was canceled by the Host, four days before we were leaving home.  Because this was within 7 days of our arrival Airbnb fined the Host $100 and the cancellation would be posted on future listings.  They offered me a 12 month coupon for $150 off any future reservation.  I couldn’t find anything that Airbnb had in the Jackson area that would meet our needs.  An apartment in Driggs, ID was just too far away to commute.  

The search for accommodations began with a short fuse and 85% occupancy in Jackson.  Plus it was July 4^th weekend.  I found a condo in Wilson ($1585.75) today (Monday 7/6), but the time spent on this hassle has cut into last minute studio work which is another financial loss. 

The moral, and what I will ask myself next time is; “what is plan B if this gets cancelled”.  This is something I have never asked myself in doing shows for over 20 years.  I have assumed people were as responsible and honest as I am.  This isn’t a rant against Airbnb, but rather, another factor to consider in planning for shows. 

Hinsdale Art Festival was the second weekend of June.  There were many shows this weekend.  Old Town in Chicago, Wells Street Chicago and many others in the Midwest.  I spent many years in the Midwest and enjoyed all the city Chicago art shows as a young patron.  When I finally decided to try the Midwest as an originally only artist I threw the dice and went on Hinsdale this year. 

Hinsdale is a suburban community outside of Chicago.  Big old homes.  It seems that most of the people that work there commute into Chicago for work.  From what I know, and what do I know,  many of the people who live there have been transferred for their jobs for a few years or more.  These folks have money and many have more than just one home.  Including lake homes and other homes around the country.

The group that put on the show do a great job.  They have wonderful communication with the artist.  They are there for support for the artist and when you check in they actually remember your name.  Set up is on Friday.  The show is in a small park right in front of the train station and the quaint town of Hinsdale.  This is somewhat of a dolly in show.  I say that because the park is small and depending on where your booth is and where you can park the dolly part is short and easy.  You are given plenty of time to set up.  Parking options after unloading are great.  I was concerned about not being able to find a drop off point that was convient but since there are only around 100 artist that do the show we don't crowd each other.  You set up on the grass across from each other.  Most of us are set up along a sidewalk that is about 5 feet wide.  Booths on both sides so if two booths across from each other each want an awning they may hit.  Most of us had lots of room in the back.  Set up was a breeze and in and out in less than 2 hours with a double booth.   The show offered artist rates at nice hotels outside of the town.  I couldn't find any hotels or air bnbs in Hinsdale but we could stay a few miles away. 

The weather forecast for the weekend was bad.  Friday was cold, well cold from a girl who had just come from Atlanta in June.  Saturday  I dressed with my rain duck shoes and a long dress and a rain coat.  Mistake and I know better because I lived in the Midwest for 5 years and I know the weather changes on a dime.  It was muggy and thankfully did not rain.  The crowds were not big on Saturday but those that came did buy.  Sales were decent but I wanted more on Sunday.  I was told this was more of a Sunday crowd.  Holding my breath.

Saturday night it rained a lot.  Sunday called for more bad weather.  When I arrived at the show many easy ups were down.  This is not a shot at easy ups.  Not all went down but I had noticed that there were many easy ups  sagged the day before or had tears.  Most of those collapsed with the heavy rain.  The show promoters were great and offered what ever tents they could spare to help the artists reset up.  I don't know if I would have it in me to reset up to come to my booth being destroyed.  Kudos to those that did it.  The other artists help rig up temporary tents for others and we all just tried to get on with our Sunday hoping the weather forecast was wrong again.  The forecast was wrong again and the weather held.   More patrons came and bought.  It was a nice day and most people pulled it out.  I was a happy artist by the end of the day on Sunday. 

Break down was not bad.  No rain.   Dolly out so a bit more challenging than many shows but again this is a small show with only 100 artists .  Not a big deal.  I believe the show offered breakfast and lunch and waters but the show is set up near the very nice town and I usually bring my own food or splurge and get to go at a nice restaurant.  Hopefully someone else can comment on the artists amenities.  I like to have them but that is not a factor for me when deciding to do a show.

A few tips and side notes.  There are a lot of tolls getting around.  Depending on the time of day or where you get on this can be a PIA.  If you want to just blow through the tolls remember where you did it and you can pay online within seven days.  I also questioned some of my buyers about where the people were.  Many told me they would go to their lake homes for the weekend.  I don't need a big crowd to have a good show.  If you are an artist that needs a big crowd for a good show this may not work for you, but again what do I know.  I hope to be invited again next year.  I miss a good Chicago Dog and the Home Run Inn Pizza.

Hello Everyone!

For those of you who have read my previous posts on the Artegon Marketplace in Orlando, FL, this should be my final one.

I am leaving at the end of my 6 month contract, and it is my opinion that no artist should try this venue until a couple of years go by. This is only my opinion, and you can take it for what it is worth. But I would highly suggest you do your own research before signing up.

There are 51 empty booths today, out of 165. Several artists have more than one booth, and some booths are buy/sell. Regardless of what they contain, there are more and more empty booths each month. My sales have remained an average of $1000 gross per month, which is based on a 60 hour week that we are required to be open. In July, management has decided that we should be open more hours, so now that is increased to 68 hours a week.

Traffic has increased slightly with the advent of summer vacationers. What little advertising I have noticed on my commute has decreased.

Management is the core problem, I believe. There has been turnover and new ideas, but nothing seems to have impacted yet.

If you do decide to try it, I wish the best for you. It is a great idea in a great town, but it hasn't worked for me.

So, It's the first day of July and I am about to finalize my Fall schedule of shows and organize my whole life until Christmas. It certainly isn't a impetuous life we lead in this business....always thinking 6 months ahead and trying to make the funds to do that... while still making art and paying for that too. It's a roller coaster for me...I'll admit, with a great show, intermixed with some not so great and the wheel keeps spinning around.

I love it, it fits my temperament, but I always think I could be much smarter about it....that I could be doing more and doing it better. Which brings me to the question at hand.

I have really appreciated all the input that goes into this site and the wisdom of the many sages that populate it. So, I was wondering about your take on a couple of shows I have been juried into....if they are worth the drive and expense to do and if they are a proven good risk. I have done a few first time shows this year with some iffy results so I want to ask before I barge ahead and commit.

I am a contemporary mixed media artist, and I realize we all have pretty different experiences based on the local of a given show, booth spot and the economics of an area. I have looked up Peoria but I haven't seen all that much, what I have seen is good but I'd like to know if it's worth an 8 hours drive. I just got in off the wait list and if you could give some feedback about your experiences there it would be so helpful.

OK,  so now I'll just dump all these at your feet...what the heck, I'm already in too deep. I am wondering about Greater Gulfcoast in Florida and Centerfest in Durham and while I'm asking, might as well ask about the Covington Art Festival.  

I hate to throw this out there to the group (been done so often) but I have looked up the available info (thanks Connie) and haven't found any recent reviews and was wondering if these shows are still good choices, although I know a lot goes into that assumption for every different artist. Thanks in advance and I hope your Fall Schedule is wonderful and carries you through to your spring schedule....as that wheel keeps turning.

When one of our active members shows up in my news feed I need to share it. 

Carrie Jacobson was in Norwalk, CT, at the Norwalk Arts Festival -- and they chose her for the article:

Rain Can't Dampen Spirits at the Norwalk Art Festival

AND -- after last weekend's heavy rains around the Midwest here is an excellent article, with lots of good photos about the Crosby Festival of the Arts in Toledo: 

https://www.toledoblade.com/local/2015/06/29/Arts-fest-weathers-storm.html

I would love to get some feedback on my new booth setup/shot. Many thanks in advance!!!!

Des Moines, IA - June 28, 2015 - The on-site jury of the 2015 Des Moines Arts Festival® presented awards to ten visual artists at an awards ceremony held this morning at Centro Restaurant in downtown Des Moines.   Ceramic artist, Michael Schwegmann was awarded Best of Show.  Zora Murff was named Best of Emerging Iowa Artists.

Michael Schwegmann received a BFA from the University of Illinois.  He has made ceramic sculpture as a full time studio artist since 1995.  Michael's sculptural ceramics focus complex ideas of labor.  He sells his work through galleries, public and private commissions, and juried art fairs across the United States. 

Best of Show:

Michael Schwegmann: Ceramics

Best of Show Emerging Iowa Artists:

Zora Murff:  EIA

Awards of Excellence:

Deborah Mae Broad: Graphics/Printmaking

E. Douglas Wunder: Jewelry

Joachim Knill: Painting

Matthew Hemminghaus: Photography

Robert Erickson and Tor Erickson: Wood

Juror Awards:

Lynda Ladwig: Ceramics

Andrew Kosten: Graphics/Printmaking

Dylan Strzynski: Mixed Media

Want more? Here's a quick article plus a video from the festival: http://whotv.com/2015/06/28/des-moines-art-festival-california-artist-brings-his-own-art-box/

Sponsored message from Chroma - Atelier Interactive Acrylic Paints

Meet Jim Cobb The paint making alchemist. I'm sure I've already met a great deal of you while on my travels from town to town discussing the paints that Ive created over the years. For those of you that I havent met, it may be worth understanding why Ive been pioneering artists paints for almost 50 years! LEARN MORE

So I was rejected this year by the Crosby Festival of the Arts. I don't know why. But that's the fate we are in. So, I'm here in La Porte, Indiana getting ready for Artigras! in New Buffalo, Michigan. My tent is up. So this is a new fair for me. So I'm am getting excited to be on new turf. This means my work will be judged by a new set of people. Yes, I will apply to Crosby next year. But this is the hand that was given to me. 2013 was my very first ribbon from Crosby. So I'm excited to meet the new people of Artigras!

• Our 38th Annual Fall Art Fair
• Limited to approximately 140 artists
• An air-conditioned indoor art fair, no worry about the weather, tents or security
• free electricity 
• Cash awards totaling $4,500
• Booth sitters, 24-hour security. Rest easy knowing your booth is locked up safely at night.
• Excellent marketing campaign, expanded to television, newspaper, magazine and radio advertising, internet and e-mail promotion
• Promotional postcards, business cards and coupons provided free to exhibiting artists
• Live music throughout the art fair
• Wine tasting Friday & Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoon  

Learn more & apply: www.artfairatqueenypark.com/  

You may also contact:  Vic Barr, GSLAA President

(314)997-1181  vicbarr@sbcglobal.net

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Find more art fairs that are looking for you: www.CallsforArtists.com

Just finished Jason Horejs' "How to sell art" (excellent book by the way, thanks Connie Mettler for recommending it!) and I thought I'd start a thread with objections and replies. You know, those things people say right after you ask them if they want to purchase your art, and what you say to convince them.

Here... I'll start:
- Objection: I have no more wall space left/Not quite sure how it'll fit with my other art in the room
- Reply: I guarantee that this piece will completely change the energy in your room. On top of this I offer 30 days money back (I do) so if it doesn't fit I can refund you.

- Objection: We'll be back, want to see the rest of the show
- Reply: gotta admit I don't have one for this objection. Any ideas?

- Objection: It's too expensive
- Reply: I have other sizes that are perhaps in your range

- Objection: I don't want to carry it
- Reply: I offer free shipping (I do) across US

Anybody else? C'mon, bring it on! :-D

Lots of us have been waiting to hear this. Who will (or possibly even can) replace Terry Adams as the CEO of the Cherry Creek Arts Festival in Denver? When Terry took over 14 years ago the organization was in very rough financial shape. An event of this scope needs a strong fiscally smart and responsible manager.

We were wondering if the job would go to Tara Brickell, the Associate Director, who has been acting CEO since Terry left a few months ago, but the new CEO, Chris Stevens seems to fit the bill very well for the event.

He has been a banker, a juror for the show, owned an art gallery, managed the arts and culture program at the Denver airport (I've seen some pretty great stuff there). He has lived in the community for two years which is probably important in order to continue the well-developed relationships between the festival and the community.

He joins the staff just a few weeks before the festival - a big job looms ahead for him.   

Welcome to Art Fair World, Chris! 

Even if you don't do "top tier" events the art festival business needs blockbuster events like Cherry Creek to keep the level of art on the streets high. A high tide raises all boats.

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_28374949/chris-stevens-lands-ceo-job-at-cherry-creek

I have kept a watchful eye on the Lockport, IL Old Canal Days Artisan Faire for several years. I have always been discouraged from doing this show based on my personal observations as well as feedback from exhibitors I have spoken with. Well this year I decided to give it a try because there were some who were encouraged by the fact that the city of Lockport brought in a new individual to organize and run the show. In my opinion as well as many others I spoke with at the show they made a poor choice.

At the beginning of the application process I dealt with Fran Nickel who is an office assistant at the Gaylord Building in Lockport. Fran made every attempt to be helpful but was unable to answer many of my questions. Fran consistently deferred to the coordinator Susan Padgen. I asked on many occasions for Susan Padgen to contact me but this never happened. I had several questions regarding parking for exhibitors, what was the jury process, when will exhibitors be notified, what is the set up time, etc all of which went unanswered and still no contact from anyone who could.

Finally about 2 1/2 weeks before the show I did receive an acceptance letter but in following up I still never received and calls or emails from Susan Padgen, the coordinator. I also received an email with my choice of set up time but still no contact from Susan Padgen. Fran, the Office Assistant had finally told me where I would be parking my trailer and informed me that I could bring my trailer in the Friday night before and park it in the lot. I still had questions and I was still asking to speak to Susan Padgen but still no contact. 

I finally asked who Susan Padgen actually worked for in the hierarchy and I was told the Mayor Steven Streit's office. I called and got the voice mail but did not receive a return call. I then called the City Administrators Office, Ben Benson and he told he would have Susan call me.

I finally received a call from Susan  about 8:00PM that night and no surprises here but she told me that Fran had no right to tell me I could drop my trailer on Friday night and that she was just an office assistant and did not have the authority to do so. I asked about booth location and she said she was still working with some tremendous new exhibitors and until she had that finalized she could not give my my location. Susan asked me about my set up time and I told her that per the form I was sent I chose 5:00am. She then told me that the first available time was 5:45 am due to IDOT regulations for street closures. I was the second person to arrive for set up and I was there at 5:30 because she made it very clear in her email the punctuality was imperative. So much for imperative, I sat there in my truck waiting for her directions until 6:20 AM.

I walked the show a couple of times and was able to speak to many exhibitors and by my count there were only 4 who were returning exhibitors. I was very disappointed in the overall quality of the exhibitors as most would have been much more comfortable in a small church bazaar format rather than what was advertised and promoted as a juried show. I asked Susan about the jury process and she never would address the question.

So in the end I did pretty good at the show but my line tends to get a broad acceptance. There were two others I spoke with that also said they did well but were very disappointed in the lack of organization and communication from the show organizer. Many were downright pissed because of the delay in set up because Susan's organizational issues and the extended wait time for Susan to escort each individual exhibitor to their booth space. 

I will probably choose to do this show again but mainly beacuse it is a local show and I have a pretty good clientele which tend to come to see me at shows. However, I really hope that the city of Lockport can find someone with organizational skills as well as the connections and marketing skills to recruit quality exhibitors because in my opinion, Susan Padgen was very disappointing.